Chair



B. H. KAPNEK 3,501,199

CHAIR March 17, 1970 5 .Sheets-Shem-l 1 Filed April 1, 196e 'Ill'.

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50 52 VH 538 36 28 24 34 'j 5e NVNTOR. BERTRAM H. KAPNEK ATTORNEYS.

CHAIR 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 1, v196s "P 46 42 Wfl/7 56 W y *A f 1 M2M e@ $4/ s g A 62 se Z397 BERTRAM H. KAPNEK l By '1 J& Coam/ ATTORNEYS.

March 17, 197@ B. H. KAPNEK 3,501,199

CHAIR Filed April l. 1968 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 lave/vrom BBERTRAM H. KAPNEK ATTORNEYS.

United States Patent O 3,501,199 CHAIR Bertram H. Kapnek, 8106 Douglas Road, Philadelphia, Pa. 19118 Filed Apr. 1, 1968, Ser. No. 717,873 Int. Cl. A47c 1/12, 7/16 U.S. Cl. 297-446 13 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A chair in which the seat is held in cantilever relative to a substantially vertical supporting frame. A plurality of rods is secured in the supporting frame and projects substantially perpendicularly therefrom. The seat is secured to said rods with the rods lying parallel to the axis of said seat.

This invention relates to a chair or other body supporting structure, and more particularly, to a chair in which the seat is held in cantilever relative to a supporting frame. Conventional body supporting structures, such as chairs, beds, sofas, etc., include a horizontal body supporting member which is in turn supported by front and rear legs. Conventionally, a back is also provided for the structure. With the advent of modern designs for furniture, various modiiications in the size, shape and relative positioning of the legs and seat of the furniture have been made. However, in substantially all of these modifications, front and rear legs are required for supporting the seat.

More recently, various metal frames have been developed for upholstered or plastic furniture wherein the seat can be held in cantilever fashion. However, the support for the seat is obtained through the use of a unitary metal frame wherein the seat support is integrally formed with a rear frame or rear legs. Thus, the inherent strength of the metal has been used for supporting the seat.

Various ornamental and artistic designs have been obtained for furniture using the cantilever principal with the metal frame. However, until the chair of this invention was designed, it was not possible to have a cantilever seat on furniture vwhen using frame members which do not have the inherent strength of metal or which cannot be made structurally integral with the supporting strength of metal. Thus, whenever furniture was made from material such as wood or plastic, it was not possible to have a cantilever seat since it was necessary to have front and rear legs on the furniture for supporting the seat. Even where front legs were not used, supporting brackets which were functionally equivalent to front legs were used.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a furniture structure wherein a seat is held in cantilever relative to the rear frame of the furniture.

It is another object of this invention tor provide a furniture structure wherein the frame can be made from materials such as wood or plastic and wherein the seat is held in cantilever relative to a back supporting frame.

These and other objects of this invention are accomplished by providing a chair comprising an upright, rear supporting frame, a plurality of rods secured in said frame having ends projecting forwardly therefrom, a seat secured to the forward ends of said rods, and means to maintain said frame in an upright condition.

Other objects and many of the attendant advantages of this invention will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the chair of this invention;

lFIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view taken along the line 2-2 of FIG. l;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view taken along the line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the chair of this invention;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged sectional view taken along the line 5 5 of FIG. 4;

FIG; 6 is an exploded sectional view showing one method of assembling the chair shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is an exploded sectional View similar to FIG. 6, and showing a modified method of assembling the chair of FIG. 4;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of the chair of this invention; and

FIG. 9 is an enlarged sectional view taken along the line 9-9 of FIG. 8.

Referring now in greater detail to the various figures of the drawings wherein similar reference characters refer to similar parts, a chair embodying the present invention is generally shown at 10 in FIG. 1. Device 10 basically comprises a frame 12, a seat 14 and a back 16.

Frame 12 comprises a pair of spaced, upright, substantially vertical legs 18. In the embodiment shown, legs 18 are cut from wood. Frame 12 additionally includes a pair of balancing legs 20 which project at an angle from legs 18.

Seat 14, in the embodiment shown, includes a wooden support 22 which is covered with a decorative material such as plastic or fabric upholstery 24 and padding 26. Padding 26 can be of any of the materials usually used for upholstering furniture, such as a fiber bat or polyurethane foam. Back 16 can be upholstered in the same manner as seat 14, and is secured between legs 18.

A pair of rigid rods 28 is used for supporting seat 14. Each rod 28 is threaded at one end 30 and the threads taper to a point 32. Each rod 30 is screwed into a leg 18. The end of rod 28 is provided with a hexagonal face 34 in order to permit the use of a wrench for advancing the rod into the leg 18. Alternatively, the end can be provided with a slot for advancement by a screwdriver. Another manner of providing for the advancement of the rod into the leg 18 would be to providev two flattened faces at an intermediate portion of the rod 28 whereby a wrench can be placed over the flattened faces and the rod can be rotated into the leg 18. As seen in FIG. 3, the leg 18 lies in a substantially vertical plane, and thus has a substantially vertical axis. The rod 28 is substantially perpendicular to the axis of the leg 18.

Each rod 28 is received in an elongated channel formed in the support 22 of seat 14. As seen in FIG. 3, the leg 18 lies in a substantially vertical plane, and thus has a substantially vertical axis. The rod 28 is substantially perpendicular to the axis of the leg 18.

Each rod 28 is received in an elongated channel formed inthe support 22 of seat 14. As seen in FIG. 3, the seat l 14 lies in a substantially horizontal plane, and the rod 28 lies in the same plane. Thus, the seat 14 is substantially perpendicular to the legs 18. The rods 28 extend through substantially the entire length of the seat 14. The length of the rods relative to the length of the seat can be varied, but for best structural design, the rods should extend through at least half of the length of the seat.

The seat is secured to the rods 28. Various means can be used for this securement, such as a pressed fit, set screws, gluing, or the provision of knurling onthe surface of rod 28 to aid in obtaining a frictional lit. All that is required is that the seat be prevented from inadvertently sliding oif the rods 28. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 the seat 14 is held in place by wood screws 26 which pass through legs 20. The legs 20 are held in place against legs 18 by wooden dowels 38. It is thus seen that legs 20 serve a dual function. The first function is to stabilize the chair in an upright position. Thus, the legs will extend diagonally from the legs 18 to a position below the front edge of the seat 14. The second function of legs 20 is to provide a means for securing the seat 14 on rods 28. This is accomplished through the use of wood screws 36.

It is to be noted that although the embodiment of this invention shown in FIGS. l to 3 includes forward legs 20', these legs project from the rear legs of the chair, and not from the front of the seat. Thus, the seat 14 is still held in cantilever relative to the back legs 18. At most, the legs 20 provide a wedging support at the rear of the seat 14. However, the embodiment of the chair shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 can be used without the legs 20. The rods 28 have sufficient inherent strength, and the securement of the threaded end 30 in the legs 18 is suiciently strong and permanent to permit the rods 28 to support the seat 14 without the use of any additional wedges or other supporting aids. When the legs 20 are not used, other means of securing the seat 14 on the rods will be used, such as set screws placed through the bottom of the seat and into contact with the rods. Additionally, when the forward legs 20 are not used, other means can be used for supporting the chair. Thus, the structural principles used in the chair of FIG. 1 can be used in making outdoor benches Wherein the supporting legs 18 would be placed in concrete in the ground. Thus, the concrete would provide sufficient support to retain the chair in an upright position. The chairs can also be used in a tandem or aligned arrangement wherein the legs 18 will be received in sockets of a metal or other base supporting member.

A second embodiment of the chair of the invention is generally shown at 40 n FIG. 4. Device 40 includes a pair of rear supporting legs 42, a back 44, a seat 46, arms 48 and base legs 50.

The seat 46 is secured to legs 42 by a pair of metal rods 52 (one shown). Rods 52 are substantially identical to rods28 and include a threaded forward end 54 which is threadedly secured in leg 42 and a hexagonal rear end S6 which is used for receiving a wrenuh to threadedly advance the rod into leg 42. Seat 46 can include upholstery 58,` and has a pair of elongated channels for receiving the rods 52. Rods 52 are each provided with a notch 60 (FIG. 6) for receiving a set screw 62 which passes through the bottom of seat 46. The engagement of the set screw in the notch 60 secures the seat 46 on the rods 52.

The method of securing the seat 46 in place is shown schematically in FIG. 6. Thus, as seen therein, rod 52 is rst threadedly secured in leg 42. The notch 60 is downwardly extending when the rod 52 is fully advanced into leg 42. Thereaftetr, seat 46 is slid over the rod 52 with the rod passing into channel 64 of the seat 46. The seat is pushed over the rod until its rear edge abuts leg 42. Thereafter, set screw 62 is threadedly advanced in hole 66 in the seat until the tip of the set screw is engaged in notch 60. This will lock the seat 46 in place against any inadvertent removal.

A modified method of securing the rod in place is shown in FIG. 7. In this embodiment, a rod 68 having a threaded end 70 is`threadedly secured in channel 64 of seat 46. A flattened face 72 is provided for the reception of a wrench for advancing the rod 68 in the seat. The opposite end of the rod is provided with a knurled surface 74. A coating of adhesive 76 is placed over the knurled surface. Any adhesive generally used can -be used as the adhesive coating 76. By Way of example, phenolic adhesives or epoxy adhesives can be used. The knurled surface having the adhesive coating is then pressed into channel 78 in leg 42. The knurling serves a number of functions, including the provision of grooves or channels for receiving the adhesive and holding the adhesive in place when the rod is inserted in the channel. Thus, if the surface of the rod were smooth, the adhesive might be pushed off the rod when the rod is inserted in the channel 78. Additionally, since the internal diameter of the channel 78 will be substantially the same or slightly smaller than the external diameter of ends 74 of rod 68, the knurling will actually cut into the wood of leg 42, thereby providing additional support. In some instances, as in cases where the load to be borne by the chair is not too great, the adhesive can be eliminated.

The procedure shown in FIG. 7 for securing the seat in place can be reversed. Thus, the threaded end 70 of rod 68 will be received in leg 42, and the seat 46 will be held on the knurled end of the rod by a pressed lit. Here again, if desired, the adhesive can be used for providing additional securement. Referring again to FIG. 5, it is seen that arms 48 are secured to legs 42 by rods 52 and set screws 62. The same modifications used for securing the seat 46 in place can be used for securing the arms 48 in place. In order to provide additional support for the arms, and in order to provide additional decorativeness to the seat, downwardly extending lips 80 are provided at the ends of the arms in contact with the legs 42. Thus, the lips 80 will serve as wedges thereby extending the load borne by the arms over a greater surface area, thus increasing the support effectiveness of the rods 52.

Base legs S0. are also secured to legs 42 -by rods 52 and set screws 62. Here again, any of the modified methods described above can be used for securing the base legs 50 in place. Base legs 50 also include upwardly projecting lips 82 which serve the same function of lips 80 on arms 48.

A third embodiment of the chair of this invention is generally shown at in FIG. 8. Device 90 includes supporting legs 92, a seat 94, base legs 96 and a back 98. The seat and back can be provided with a decorative covering or upholstery, if desired.

Seat 94 is secured to legs 92 by a pair of metal rods 100 (one shown in FIG. 9). Here again, each rod 100 iS provided with a threaded end 102 which is threadedly secured in a leg 92. Set screws 104 secure the seat 94 in place on the rods. In this embodiment, the rods 100 extend horizontally and in a direction which is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the seat 94. Additionally, the rods are substantially perpendicular to the legs 92. In this connection, it should be noted that the legs 92 are not exactly vertical, but extend at about an 80 angle to the` horizontal. Therefore, in the context of this invention,l substantially perpendicular would normally include angles between 75 and 105. The specitic angle between the two elements such as the legs and seat, supported by the rods will vary depending upon the dictates of the design of the specic furniture. However, in substantially all instances, the angle will be between 75 and 105.

The base legs 96 are centrally located beneath upstanding legs 92. The base legs 96 are secured in place through the use of metal rods 106. Thus, rods 106 are threadedly secured in the base legs 96, as shown at 108. The elongated portions of the rods 106 include knurled ends 110. The legs 92 are provided with channels which extend along the longitudinal axis of the legs, and the legs are slid over rods 106 along these channels. The knurled ends of the rods provide a pressed t for the legs, and thereby the legs are secured in place. If desired, adhesive can be used for providing additional securement. Flattened faces 112 are provided on rods 106 in order to permit the utilization of a wrench in advancing the threads into base legs 96. Here again, although the `rod extends at approximately an 80 angle from the base legs 96, within the context of this invention, it is considered that the rod is substantially perpendicular to the base legs.

In the embodiments of the invention shown, Wood has been the material of construction for the various chairs. However, this invention can be used in joining other materials such as plastics. Where desired, two different materials can be used in making the furniture by using the rods of this invention as the means of securing the various elements together.

The rods of this invention have suflicient strength when used in the manner shown to obviate the necessity of having any other supporting structure for the seats.l Thus, the entire load of the seats is borne by the rods. No supporting brackets or other supporting media are necessary. The rods can be made of any material having sufficient strength to accomplish the desired support. Metal is a preferred material, and normally the rods will be made of steel. l

Another advantage of using the rods of this invention is that all of the supporting hardware for the chairs is hidden in use. Thus, since the rods are received in channels within the various elements of the chairs, there will be no visible supporting hardware in the completed chairs. This provides ardistinct advantage over the unsightly exposed metal brackets which have been used in the prior art chairs.

Although all of the embodiments of the invention shown are chairs, it is to be understood that the teachings of this invention can be applied in manufacturing many other forms of furniture. Thus, chairs, sofas, and beds can be made utilizing the teachings of this invention.

Without further elaboration, the foregoing will so fully illustrate my invention, that others may, by applying current or future knowledge, adopt the same for use under various conditions of service.

What is claimed as the invention is:

1. A chair comprising an upright, rear supporting frame, a first plurality of rods secured in said frame and having ends projecting therefrom, a seat secured to the projecting ends of said first plurality of rods, supporting legs for maintaining said frame in an upright condition, said supporting legs being positioned below said (frame, said frame extending substantially perpendicularly from said legs, said frame having a substantially vertical axis, a second plurality of rods being secured to said frame and lying in said substantially vertical axis, with said second plurality of rods having ends which project from said frame, which are secured to said legs, said second plurality of rods extending substantially perpendicularly to the horizontal axis of said legs.

2. The chair of claim 1 wherein said ends of said first plurality of rods extend for at least one-half the length of said seat.

3. The chair of claim 1 wherein said rst plurality of rods extends substantially perpendicularly to said frame.

4. The chair of claim 1 wherein said seat has a longitudinal axis and said first plurality of rods lie in a plane substantially parallel to said axis. 5 5. The chair of claim 1 wherein said seat includes a plurality of channels extending inwardly from one end thereof, with Said rst plurality of rods being received in said channels and secured therein.

6. The chair of claim 5 wherein said rst plurality of rods is threadedly secured in said channels.

7. The chair of claim 5 wherein each of said lirst plurality of rods has a knurled outer surface, and said knurled surface is used for securing said seat on said rst plurality of rods.

8. The chair of claim 5 wherein said seat is adhesively secured to said rst plurality of rods.

9. The chair of claim 5 wherein said seat is secured to said rst plurality of rods by set screws passing through said seat into contact with said first plurality of rods.

10. The chair of claim 1 wherein said first plurality of rods is threadedlysecured to said frame.

11. The chair of claim 1 wherein said second plurality of rods is threadedly secured to said legs.

12. The chair of claim 1 and further including a third plurality of rods secured to said frame, and a plurality of arms for said chair secured to projecting forward ends of said third plurality of rods. i 13. The chair of claim 1 wherein said frame, seat and legs comprise wood.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,580,707 1/1952 Underhill 297--445 3,038,758 6/1962 Molla 297-445 3,333,555 8/1967 Kapnek 10S-A52.

FOREIGN PATENTS 1,197,497 12/1959 France. 864,739 1/ 1953 Germany.

CASMIR A. NUNBERG, Primary Examiner U.S. C1. XR. 297.-445 

